According to The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Fox, which had been planning a Fourth of July-themed launch for Fantastic Four, is shifting gears: Now it will open the movie, which was scheduled for July 1st to take advantage of the long holiday weekend, on July 8th.

The studio's move, announced Monday, ends a looming face-off with Paramount Pictures' War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg, which is set to open June 29th, the Wednesday before the Fourth of July weekend.

Fox's adaptation of the Marvel superheroes title, starring Michael Chiklis and directed by Tim Story, will now go up against Sony Pictures' film adaptation of the popular '60s TV show Bewitched, with a cast headed by Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. Separately, Sony is making a change in its own summer lineup, shifting the comedy remake Fun With Dick and Jane, which had been scheduled to open June 25th, to Dec. 21st.

Fantastic Four was released July 8th, 2005 and stars Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Hamish Linklater, Kerry Washington, Laurie Holden. The film is directed by Tim Story.

War of the Worlds was released June 29th, 2005 and stars Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, Tim Robbins, Rick Gonzalez, Yul Vazquez, Lenny Venito. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg.